No Plan B

[An Oasis]

Hi Folks
If there was a downturn in the economy or your sector was squeezed by “the big boys” what plans, do you have in place to prevent becoming a victim?

Will you:

• increase marketing/ad spend
• contract your company
• tighten the belt
• cut back on service
• cut back on quality
• look for alternative suppliers
• ...

What’s your Plan B?

 

[estwig]

No time to make a plan B, worry about it if it happens.

Full steam ahead with plan A, World Domination!!!

 

[theguvnor]

No time to make a plan B, worry about it if it happens.

Full steam ahead with plan A, World Domination!!!

Too right. There is no plan B, except probably enrole in a bus drivers course and try and get a decent council house.Or I quite fancy joining the post office, or the council. They have nice canteens and sports/social clubs.

 

[An Oasis]

Sorry Council House not an option

OK a bit more info

We need some land for plant storage. A local nursery has offered a section of land for storage - at a price. It's perfect for us in every respect, which includes it's a going concern, so it's staffed, secure… ...and it's taken 18 months to find.


However, the market for independent nurseries is stacked against them it is predicted that here will be few if any independent garden centres or nurseries left in 10 years time. If it's not a going concern then it's no use to us and I really don't want to throw money away.

If the nursery failed then… hence Plan B. I am looking to see if I can come up with a solution to a problem that seems likely to happen. With me in the driving seat.

 

[Richie N]

I'm with Keith as well on this one, as much as there are "big boys" out there, I think there is always room for the independents and specialists.

 

[theguvnor]

Just have a simple 'disaster' plan, perhaps a couple of contacts that could sort short term storage if it goes south, or limit the amount of stock you keep there. And keep an eye on the nursery, it should become apparent if it is being run down.

 

[SillyJokes]

Plan B - 'earn £500 a week working from home' sticker and old Vauxhall.

or look for the unexploited niche

 

[An Oasis]

I'm with Keith as well on this one, as much as there are "big boys" out there, I think there is always room for the independents and specialists.

Ya to some extent, but... we are tracking numbers and the numbers + people in the "know" in the industry are usually pretty in touch with the market, the trend in not looking healthy, I trust their opinions.

Any takers? Even if you don't have an exit route planned what's you gut reaction?

• increase marketing/ad spend
• contract your company
• tighten the belt
• cut back on service
• cut back on quality
• look for alternative suppliers
• diversify
• ...

At present the larger companies are trying to diversify.

 

[FreeLocal]

I sold Plan A and started Plan B . . . Best thing I ever did.

 

[estwig]

Do understand Richard, I thought we had our storage problems sorted until the lock-up, got broken into. So I threw out everything but the essentials, off hired the lock-up and feel much better for having less clutter.

Do you really need more storage, or less stuff??
Is ten years not enough, shouldn't you be on a beach by then, without a care in the world??

I don't understand the list of questions above, these are hypothetical problems to be addressed as and when.

Good luck with the storage.

 

[An Oasis]

Hum

Obviously I have not explained it well Keith.

Yes we need extra space = world domination
Buyin = yes if we want the storage space
Scenario now is good but = the family that own the existing business are "getting on" in life and not as pro active as could be
Market = probable downturn
Planning permission to do something else with land = less than 0.01% chance, have inside knowledge…
End scenario = wasted money, will still have storage space but thousands of £ of plants will be stolen…

End result = I'm a stupid bugger for buying in unless I can find an exit route which is profitable long term.

 

[estwig]

I still don't understand the exit route, you want the land, I am sure you find the people there to be decent. Work with them, it is always a people business.
Look for a way forward when the problems arise, not for a way out before you begin.

If you are not sure, abandone the idea and move forward elsewhere.

I am only trying to help, don't mean to sound horrible. it is the way i see things.